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10 Killer Job Interview

questions and Answers
24 Aug 2007
Written by Carole Martin
Behind every interview question there is a concern or another question. Your job is to process
the question thinking about what the interviewers concern might be. In other words, why is
the interviewer asking you this question?
Q#1 How long have you been looking for a job? (Concern is there something wrong with
you that other employers have picked up?)

A#1 After I was laid off from my last job, I took the opportunity to take some time out to
examine my career goals and where I was going with my life. I have just begun my search in
the last few weeks. I have a definite goal in mind and have been selective about the positions
I consider. Your company and this position are of great interest to me.

Q#2 How did you prepare for this interview? (Concern are you interested enough to do
some research, or are you going to wing it?)

A#2 When I found this position posted on the internet (monster.com) I was
immediately interested. I checked out the company website and mission statement, looked at
the bios of company founders and executives, and was impressed. Once I had the interview
appointment, I talked with friends and acquaintances in the industry. And, Im sure Ill find out
a lot more in todays meetings.
Q#3 What is your salary expectation for this job? (Concern Can we afford you? Can we get
you for less than budgeted?)

A#3 Ill need more information about the job and the responsibilities involved before we
can begin to discuss salary. Can you give me an idea of the range budgeted for this position?

Q#4 How do you keep current and informed about your job and the industries that you have
worked in? (Concern Once you get the job do you continue to learn and grow stay
challenged and motivated?)

A#4 I pride myself on my ability to stay on top of what is happening in my industry. I do a

lot of reading the business section of the newspapers and magazines. I belong to a couple of
professional organizations and network with colleagues at the meetings. I take classes and
seminars whenever they are of interest, or offer new information or technology.

Q#5 Tell me about a time when you had to plan and coordinate a project from start to
finish. (Concern behavioral questions seeking an example of specific past behavior)

A#5 I headed up a project which involved customer service personnel and technicians. I
organized a meeting to get everyone together to brainstorm and get his or her input. From
this meeting I drew up a plan, taking the best of the ideas. I organized teams, balancing the
mixture of technical and non-technical people. We had a deadline to meet, so I did periodic
checks with the teams. After three weeks, we were exceeding expectations, and were able to
begin implementation of the plan. It was a great team effort, and a big success. I was
commended by management for my leadership, but I was most proud of the team spirit and
cooperation which it took to pull it off.

Q#6 What kinds of people do you have difficulties working with? (Concern ability to be
flexible and work in a diverse environment?)

A#6 In my last three jobs I have worked with men and women from very diverse
backgrounds and cultures. The only time I had difficulty was with people who were dishonest
about work issues. I worked with one woman who was taking credit for work that her team
accomplished. I had an opportunity to talk with her one day and explained how she was
affecting the morale. She became very upset that others saw her that way, and said she was
unaware of her behavior or the reactions of others. Her behavior changed after our talk. What
I learned from that experience is that sometimes what we perceive about others is not always
the case if we check it out.

Q#7 We expect managers to work more than 8 hours a day. Do you have a problem with
that? (Concern are you a work-aholic or a person who requires balance?)

A#7 I have no problem working long hours. I have worked 12 or 14 hour days. What I have
found works for me is to work smarter, not necessarily longer. My goal is to get the job done,
whatever that takes, in the most efficient manner.

Q#8 When have you been most satisfied in your career? (Concern what motivates you? Or
demotivates you?)

A#8 The job before the one I am currently at, was my most rewarding experience for me. I
worked in a wonderful team environment. There was a lot of camaraderie. I worked with a
team of four people and we did some really original thinking. It is that kind of environment I
want to be involved in again.
 Q#9 Why do you want this job? (Concern are you using the shot-gun approach to job
search or do you really know what you want?)

A#9 Ive been very careful about the companies where I have applied. When I saw the ad
for this position, I knew I found what I was looking for. What I can bring to this job is my
seven years of experience, and knowledge of the industry, plus my ability to communicate and
build customer relationships. That, along with my flexibility and organizational skills, makes
me a perfect match for this position. I see some challenges ahead of me here, and thats what
I thrive on. I have what you need, and you have what I want.

Q#10 We are ready to make an offer. Are you ready to accept today? (Concern we dont
want you to go away and think about it and change your mind we want you.)

A#10 Based on my research and the information I have gathered during the interview
process, I feel I am in a position to consider an offer. I do, however, have a personal policy
that I give myself at least 24 hours to make major life decisions. I could let you know by
tomorrow.

There is no way you can accurately predict the questions that will be asked in an interview,
but you can be ready and prepared by thinking about the factors that might concern an
interviewer or employer before the interview.

Carole Martin, Americas #1 Interview Coach, is a celebrated author, trainer, and mentor.
Carole can give you interviewing tips like no one else can. Get a copy of her FREE 9-part
Interview Success Tips report by visiting Carole on the web at The Interview Coach
http://www.interviewcoach.com
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71 Responses to 10 Killer Job Interview

questions and Answers

November 11th, 2008 at 17:54

Dear sir
Introduce me first, my name budi martanto from indonesia, I have interview jobs question and
need your help to answer it, below are the question:
1. Briefly describe your ideal job?
2. Why did you choose this career?
3. What goals do you have in your career?
4. How do you plan to achieve these goals?
5. Can you work well under deadlines or pressure?
6. Tell us about a time when you failed to meet a deadline. What were
the repercussions?
7. Do you have reference list?
8. Why do you want to work here?
9. Why should we hire you over the others waiting to be interviewed?
10. Give us details of your present Employment Status.
11. How soon can you travel down to any Location posted U?
12. What three Specific Job Positions do you target from the Company?
14. What is your Future Plans for the Company if Permanently Employed?
15. What is your current Salary?
16. What is your expected Salary?
finnaly, thank you very much
regard
budi martanto
Can I hav please as best answers to questions bellow for an interview an thanks in advance:
1-how does your past or present jobs experience fit to the requirement of this job.
2- tell about a time you had difficulties working in a team.
3- tell about a time when it was necessary to plan several alternative of actions in response to
a change in organization,s direction.
4- talk about a time you found it particularly tough to make a decision.

April 6th, 2009 at 09:24

please i need answers to the following interview questions
1. Briefly describe your ideal job?
2. Why did you choose this career?
3. What goals do you have in your career?
4. How do you plan to achieve these goals?
5. Can you work well under deadlines or pressure?
6. Tell us about a time when you failed to meet a deadline. What were
the repercussions?
7. Do you have reference list?
8. Why do you want to work here?
9. Why should we hire you over the others waiting to be interviewed?
10. Give us details of your present Employment Status.
11. How soon can you travel down to any Location posted U?
12. What three Specific Job Positions do you target from the Company?

14. What is your Future Plans for the Company if Permanently Employed?
15. What is your current Salary?
16. What is your expected Salary?
thanks you.
Dear sir
Introduce me first, my name SHAKIL AHAMED from BANGLADESH, I have interview jobs
question and need your help to answer it,As early as possible before next 12 hour,s. Below are
the questions:
1. How would you describe your self.?
2. How would you describe your ideal job..?
3. Why did you choose this careers.?
4. What goals do you achieve in your career?
5. How do you plan to achieve these goals.?
6. What exactly do you look for in a job.?
7. What accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction in your life.?
8. What motives you to do a good job.?
9. Which post do you like to apply for..?
10. Have you ever been to LONDON before..?
11.What is your present job and what is your present salary..?
finnaly, thank you very much
regard
Shakil Ahamed
Dhaka,Bangladesh
E-mail: shakilnisa@yahoo.com

Shakil Ahamed

May 4th, 2009 at 01:14

Dear sir,
Introduce me first,
I am SHAKIL AHAMED from BANGLADESH.
I have interview jobs question and need your help to answer it,
I want to build my career in a 5 stars hotel.
The hotel name is Abba queens gate hotel location london.
My applying post It management
My interview question is below.Please solv my questions as early as possible before
next 4 hours and reply my mail account.
Below are the questions.
1. How would you describe your self.?
2. How would you describe your ideal job?
3. Why did you choose this careers.?
4. What goals do you achieve in your career?
5. How do you plan to achieve these goals.?
6. What exactly do you look for in a job.?
7. What accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction in your life.?
8. What motives you to do a good job.?
9. Which post do you like to apply for..?
10. Have you ever been to LONDON before..?
11.What is your present job and what is your present salary..
finnaly, thank you very much
regard
Shakil Ahamed
Dhaka,Bangladesh
E-mail: shakilnisa@yahoo.com

Hi All,
Please provide some good answers for following Qs:
1. Briefly describe your ideal job?
2. Why did you choose this career?
3. What goals do you have in your career?
4. How do you plan to achieve these goals?
5. Can you work well under deadlines or pressure?
6. Tell us about a time when you failed to meet a deadline. What were
the repercussions?
7. Do you have reference list?
8. Why do you want to work here?
9. Why should we hire you over the others waiting to be interviewed?
10. Give us details of your present Employment Status.
11. How soon can you travel down to any Location posted U?
12. What three Specific Job Positions do you target from the Company?
Regards,
Nazan
asknazan@gmail.com

Arif

November 8th, 2009 at 23:31

Hi All,
Please provide some good answers for following Qs:
1. Briefly describe your ideal job?
2. Why did you choose this career?
3. What goals do you have in your career?
4. How do you plan to achieve these goals?
5. Can you work well under deadlines or pressure?
6. Tell us about a time when you failed to meet a deadline. What were
the repercussions?
7. Do you have reference list?
8. Why do you want to work here?
9. Why should we hire you over the others waiting to be interviewed?
10. Give us details of your present Employment Status.
11. How soon can you travel down to any Location posted U?
12. What three Specific Job Positions do you target from the Company?
Regards,

December 20th, 2009 at 01:36

hello Carole Martin ,
I am having an interview on 23/12/2009 for a position of Marketing Executive in a telecom
company .
Please provide some good answers for following Qs:
1. Briefly describe your ideal job?
2. Why did you choose this career?
3. What goals do you have in your career?
4. How do you plan to achieve these goals?
5. Can you work well under deadlines or pressure?
6. Tell us about a time when you failed to meet a deadline. What were
the repercussions?
7. Do you have reference list?
8. Why do you want to work here?
9. Why should we hire you over the others waiting to be interviewed?
waiting for ur answer.

Alex Mayan

January 17th, 2010 at 12:22

In regards to some of the questions in the comment section,
http://www.InterviewCrusher.com has many of those answers to these and more.
1. Briefly describe your ideal job?
2. Why did you choose this career?
3. What goals do you have in your career?
4. How do you plan to achieve these goals?
5. Can you work well under deadlines or pressure?
6. Tell us about a time when you failed to meet a deadline. What were
the repercussions?
7. Do you have reference list?
8. Why do you want to work here?
9. Why should we hire you over the others waiting to be interviewed?

Mary

February 2nd, 2010 at 03:53

I AM Mary Adams OF MITCO TEXTILES, A TEXTILES MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
WE NEED A HONEST, SELF-MOTIVATED PERSON WHO CAN WORK FOR US AS A
PAYMENT RECEIVABLE PERSONAL DUE TO US NOT HAVING AN OFFICE IN THE STATES
AND EARN ON A DAILY BASIS.
FOR MORE DETAILS PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING: +FULL NAME: +FULL ADDRESS(Not
P.O BOX): +CITY: +STATE: +ZIP CODE: +PHONE #:

Sushanta Barman
February 6th, 2010 at 06:45
Hello Sir,
This is Sushanta Barman from INDIA doing B.E. in CSE department. I have some interview
question and need your help to answer it, below are the question:
1. So, Sushanta are you tired for waiting long time?
2. How would you describe your self?
3. Which quality of leader do you find in your self?
4. What is your weak points and strong points? Give some examples in your life?
5. Tell about your experience after left your house?
6. How do you handle stress / pressure?
7. What are the qualities of a good leader?
8. How would you describe your ideal job?
9. Why did you choose this careers?
10. What goals do you achieve in your career?
11. How do you plan to achieve these goals?
12. What exactly do you look for in a job?
13. What accomplishments have given you the most satisfaction in your life?
14. What motives you to do a good job?
I will be greatly thankful to you!
job interviews
Job interviews are always stressful - even for job seekers who have gone on
countless interviews. The best way to reduce the stress is to be prepared. Take the time to
review the "standard" interview questions you will most likely be asked. Also review
sample answers to these typical interview questions.
Then take the time to research the company. That way you'll be ready with
knowledgeable answers for the job interview questions that specifically relate to the
company you are interviewing with.

Interview Questions: Work History

Name of company, position title and description, dates of employment. - Best Answers
What were your expectations for the job and to what extent were they met? - Best
Answers
What were your starting and final levels of compensation? - Best Answers
What were your responsibilities? - Best Answers
What major challenges and problems did you face? How did you handle them? - Best
Answers
What did you like or dislike about your previous job? - Best Answers
Which was most / least rewarding? - Best Answers
What was the biggest accomplishment / failure in this position? - Best Answers
Questions about your supervisors and co-workers. - Best Answers
What was it like working for your supervisor? - Best Answers
What do you expect from a supervisor? - Best Answers
Who was your best boss and who was the worst? - Best Answers
Why are you leaving your job? - Best Answers
What have you been doing since your last job? - Best Answers
Why were you fired? - Best Answers
Job Interview Questions About You
What is your greatest weakness? - Best Answers
What is your greatest strength? - Best Answers
Describe a typical work week. - Best Answers
Do you take work home with you? - Best Answers
How many hours do you normally work? - Best Answers
How would you describe the pace at which you work? - Best Answers
How do you handle stress and pressure? - Best Answers
What motivates you? - Best Answers
What are your salary expectations? - Best Answers
What do you find are the most difficult decisions to make? - Best Answers
Tell me about yourself. - Best Answers
What has been the greatest disappointment in your life? - Best Answers
What are you passionate about? - Best Answers
What are your pet peeves? - Best Answers
What do people most often criticize about you? - Best Answers
When was the last time you were angry? What happened? - Best Answers
If you could relive the last 10 years of your life, what would you do differently? - Best
Answers
If the people who know you were asked why you should be hired, what would they say?
Best Answers
Do you prefer to work independently or on a team? - Best Answers
Give some examples of teamwork. - Best Answers
What type of work environment do you prefer? - Best Answers
How do you evaluate success? - Best Answers
If you know your boss is 100% wrong about something how would you handle it? - Best
Answers
Describe a difficult work situation / project and how you overcame it. - Best Answers
Describe a time when your workload was heavy and how you handled it. - Best Answers
More job interview questions about your abilities. - Best Answers
More job interview questions about you. - Best Answers

Job Interview Questions About the New Job and the Company
What interests you about this job? - Best Answers
Why do you want this job? - Best Answers
What applicable attributes / experience do you have? - Best Answers
Are you overqualified for this job? - Best Answers
What can you do for this company? - Best Answers
Why should we hire you? - Best Answers
Why are you the best person for the job? - Best Answers
What do you know about this company? - Best Answers
Why do you want to work here? - Best Answers
What challenges are you looking for in a position? - Best Answers
What can you contribute to this company? - Best Answers
Are you willing to travel? - Best Answers
Is there anything I haven't told you about the job or company that you would like to
know? - Best Answers
Interview Questions: The Future
What are you looking for in your next job? What is important to you? - Best Answers
What are your goals for the next five years / ten years? - Best Answers
How do you plan to achieve those goals? - Best Answers
What are your salary requirements - both short-term and long-term? - Best Answers
Questions about your career goals. - Best Answers
What will you do if you don't get this position? - Best Answers

Candidate Specific Interview Questions

Customer Service / Retail Interview Questions
Administrative Assistant Interview Questions
Teacher Job Interview Questions
Teen Job Interview Questions

Behavior Based Interview Questions

In addition to being ready to answer these standard questions, prepare for behavior based
interview questions. This is based on the premise that a candidate's past performance is
the best predictor of future performance. You will you need to be prepared to provide
detailed responses including specific examples of your work experiences.
Tough Interview Questions
These are some of the more difficult interview questions that you may be asked on a job
interview.
Interview Questions to Ask
The last job interview question you may be asked is "What can I answer for you?" Have
an interview question or two of your own ready to ask. You aren't simply trying to get this
job - you are also interviewing the employer to assess whether this company and the
position are a good fit for you.
Compile Responses to Interview Questions
Take the time to compile a list of responses to both types of interview questions and to
itemize your skills, values, and interests as well as your strengths and weaknesses.
Emphasize what you can do to benefit the company rather than just what you are
interested in.

Readers Respond: Best Answers to

What is Your Greatest Strength
Answer to What is Your Greatest Strength
I'm a fast learner. I enjoy team work and individual work, to. Even in critical situations
I can keep my head cool. And before making any descision I used to consult with
others, but finally decide my own.

Guest rajendra pokhrel

The Greatest Strength
 My positive approach and confidence towards my work. Keep trying fight with
problems and try to solve them.

Guest Akshay jamkar

My Strength
My positive approach and confidence towards my work make me sucessful. I keep
trying fight with problems and trying to solve them.

Guest Akshay jamkar

My Best Strength
i am a very industrious person, I say it's my best strength because I don't want things
be left undone.

Guest arziah
My Greatest Strength
I am a good motivator with good communication skills with a positive attitude to find
solutions in difficullt circumstances.

Guest phillips
Working Under Pressure
I can heavily work under pressure and long hours is my type of working enviroment.
Tiredness is something of the past as I choose the kind of enviroment in which I can
prosper and show my employer what I am capable of doing and also to assure my
employer that I am a person that one can rely on.

Guest Ellis Stramis

My Greatest Strength
I never postpone my work to the next day.As well as I never lose my patience in bad
conditions becouse I believe that there can be a great solution for every problem, if we
want to solve them.

Guest Hardeep Kaur Ahuja

Greatest Strength
My strength is that i have a good analytical and logical programm ing skills. I
customize myself according to my work environment and I am willing to learn very
fast.

Guest chaithanya
My Greatest Strength
I work responsibly and will try to complete tasks that were assigned in the best
possible way.

Guest daviddung
My Great Strength
Able to cope up with others and make sure that I always get appreciated for the work
I have done.

Guest Mr.G.Jagadesh.kcg college.

My Greatest Strength
 My greatest strength is that i get along well with others. I can make new friends very
easily. I am a people person so I like to know the people around me and I like to be
friends with them so that there are not very many conflicts. I feel that getting along
well with others is my greatest strength.

Guest Stormie
Greatest Strength
Everybody has an aspiration and two things that should be clear and existent are
critical thinking and initiative.

Guest jalal sheikh

My Greatest Strength
My grestest strength is that I can communincte with others easily and I can make
friends easily with others.

Guest Haiyan
Strength
I have over six years of experience as a receptionist, this experience has given me the
ability to intract easily with people. I am also able to adapt quickly and easily into new
environments and roles, which was a huge asset in my many temp jobs.

Guest Loretta
Greatest Strength
My self esteem and good communication skills in all aspects of my work. A positive
attitude and confidentiality is most important key for my position.

Job Interview Answer: What Motivates You?

There isn't a right or wrong answer to interview questions about what motivates you.
The interviewer is trying to understand the key to your being successful in the job he is
interviewing for, and wants to make sure it's a good fit. Consider, in advance of interviewing,
what actually does motivate you and come up with some specific examples to share during the
interview.
Your response will vary based on your background and experiences, but, you will want to
share your enthusiasm and what you like(d) best about your job. Here are some examples:
I was responsible for several projects where I directed development teams and
implemented repeatable processes. The teams achieved 100% on-time delivery of software
products. I was motivated both by the challenge of finishing the projects ahead of schedule
and by managing the teams that achieved our goals.
I've always been motivated by the desire to do a good job at whatever position I'm in.
I want to excel and to be successful in my job, both for my own personal satisfaction and
for my employer.
I have always wanted to ensure that my company's clients get the best customer
service I can provide. I've always felt that it's important, both to me personally, and for the
company and the clients, to provide a positive customer experience.

I have spent my career in sales, typically in commission-based positions, and

compensation has always been a strong factor in motivating me to be the top
salesperson at my prior employers.
 Job Interview Answer: What
Motivates You?
By

There isn't a right or wrong answer to interview questions about what motivates you.
The interviewer is trying to understand the key to your being successful in the job he is
interviewing for, and wants to make sure it's a good fit. Consider, in advance of interviewing,
what actually does motivate you and come up with some specific examples to share during the
interview.
Your response will vary based on your background and experiences, but, you will want to
share your enthusiasm and what you like(d) best about your job. Here are some examples:
I was responsible for several projects where I directed development teams and
implemented repeatable processes. The teams achieved 100% on-time delivery of software
products. I was motivated both by the challenge of finishing the projects ahead of schedule
and by managing the teams that achieved our goals.
I've always been motivated by the desire to do a good job at whatever position I'm in.
I want to excel and to be successful in my job, both for my own personal satisfaction and
for my employer.
I have always wanted to ensure that my company's clients get the best customer
service I can provide. I've always felt that it's important, both to me personally, and for the
company and the clients, to provide a positive customer experience.
I have spent my career in sales, typically in commission-based positions, and
compensation has always been a strong factor in motivating me to be the top salesperson
at my prior employers.

Job Interview Answer: Why Are You

Leaving Your Job?
One of the questions that is typically asked in an interview is "Why are you leaving your job?"
or "Why did you leave your job?" if you have already moved on. If you were fired from your
job, use these answers to respond. If you left of your own accord, review these suggestions on
how best to answer and tailor your response to meet your particular situation. Be direct and
focus your interview answer on the future, especially if your leaving wasn't under the best of
circumstances.
Don't Badmouth Your Boss
Regardless of why you left, don't speak badly about your previous employer. The interviewer
may wonder if you will be bad-mouthing his company next time you're looking for work. I
once interviewed a person who told me that her last employer was terrible. They didn't pay
her enough, the hours were awful and she hated the job. That company happened to be my
company's biggest, and most important, customer. And there is no way I would have hired
someone who felt that way, justified or not, about our valuable client. So, she gave up any
opportunity of getting the job as soon as she answered the "Why did you leave?" question.
Prepare answers to typical job interview questions, like this one, in advance. Practice your
responses so you sound positive, and clear, about your circumstances and your goals for the
future.
Sample answers to the interview question "Why did you leave your job?

I found myself bored with the work and looking for more challenges. I am an excellent
employee and I didn't want my unhappiness to have any impact on the job I was doing for
my employer.
There isn't room for growth with my current employer and I'm ready to move on to a
new challenge.
I'm looking for a bigger challenge and to grow my career and I couldn't job hunt part
time while working. It didn't seem ethical to use my former employer's time.
I was laid-off from my last position when our department was eliminated due to
corporate restructuring.
I'm relocating to this area due to family circumstances and left my previous position in
order to make the move.
I've decided that is not the direction I want to go in my career and my current
employer has no opportunities in the direction I'd like to head.
After several years in my last position, I'm looking for an company where I can
contribute and grow in a team-oriented environment.
I am interested in a new challenge and an opportunity to use my technical skills and
experience in a different capacity than I have in the past.
I recently received my degree and I want to utilize my educational background in my
next position.
I am interested in a job with more responsibility, and I am very ready for a new
challenge.
I left my last position in order to spend more time with my family. Circumstances have
changed and I'm more than ready for full-time employment again.
I am seeking a position with a stable company with room for growth and opportunity
for advancement.
I was commuting to the city and spending a significant amount of time each day on
travel. I would prefer to be closer to home.
To be honest, I wasn't considering a move, but, I saw this job posting and was
intrigued by the position and the company. It sounds like an exciting opportunity and an
ideal match with my qualifications.
This position seemed like an excellent match for my skills and experience and I am not
able to fully utilize them in my present job.
The company was cutting back and, unfortunately, my job was one of those
eliminated.

Job Interview Answer: Tell Me

About Yourself
From Joe Turner

See More About:

interview questions
interview questions and answers
job interview questions

You walk into the interview room, shake hands with your interviewer and sit down with
your best interviewing smile on. Guess what their first question is? "Tell me about yourself."
Do you "wing it" and actually tell all manner of things about yourself? Will you spend the next
5 minutes rambling on about what an easy-going, loyal, dedicated, hard working employee
you've been? If this is the case, you stand a good chance of having bored your interviewer to
death thus creating a negative first impression.
Because it's such a common interview question, it's strange that more candidates don't spend
the time to prepare for exactly how to answer it. Perhaps because the question seems so
disarming and informal, we drop our guard and shift into ramble mode. Resist all temptation
to do so.
Your interviewer is not looking for a 10-minute dissertation here. Instead, offer a razor sharp
sentence or two that sets the stage for further discussion and sets you apart from your
competitors.
Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
Give them "your synopsis about you" answer, specifically your Unique Selling Proposition.
Known as a personal branding or a value-added statement, the USP is a succinct, one-
sentence description of who you are, your biggest strength and the major benefit that a
company will derive from this strength. Here is an example of a Unique Selling Proposition:
"I'm a seasoned Retail Manager strong in developing training programs and loss prevention
techniques that have resulted in revenue savings of over $2.3Million for (employer's name)
during the past 11 years."
What a difference you've made with this statement. Your interviewer is now sitting forward in
her chair giving you her full attention. At this point, you might add the following sentence: "I'd
like to discuss how I might be able to do something like that for you." The ball is now back in
her court and you have the beginnings of a real discussion and not an interrogation process.
Be Specific
The key is that you must lead with your strongest benefit to the employer. Be specific and
don't wander about with some laundry list of skills or talents. Be sure to put a monetary value
on your work if at all possible and be ready with details when you're called upon. Give an
estimated value to the $$ you've either helped to make or save for your employer.
Be Prepared
When you walk into an interview, remember to always expect the "tell me about yourself"
question. Prepare ahead of time by developing your own personal branding statement that
clearly tells who you are, your major strength and the clear benefit that your employer
received. The advantages of this approach are that you'll quickly gain their attention and
interest them in knowing more. You'll separate yourself from your competitors. You'll also
have a higher chance of being positively remembered and hired.
===============

Job Interview Answer: What Can You

Contribute to the Company?
By Alison Doyle, About.com Guide

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interview questions
interview questions and answers
job interviews

A typical interview question to discover how hiring you would benefit the company is
"What can you contribute to this company?"
The best way to answer questions about your contributions to the company is to give
examples of what you have accomplished in the past, and to relate them to what you can
achieve in the future.
Describe specific examples of how effective you have been in your other positions, change you
have implemented, and goals you have achieved. Talk about the depth and breadth of related
experience that you have.
Also, relate your abilities to the employer's goals. You will want to let the interviewer know
that you have the skills necessary to do the job they are hiring for, the ability effectively meet
challenges, and the flexibility and diplomacy to work well with other employees and with
management.
===============
Job Interview Questions and Answers
Interview Questions and Answers
Typical job interview questions and sample answers.
Interview Questions to Ask
Questions for candidates for employment to ask the interviewer.
Interview Advice
Interviews and Networking
Interview Questions and Answers
Job Interview Tips

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Search

Job Interview Answers to Questions

About Your Career Goals
From Kay Stout

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interview questions
interview questions and answers
job interviews
 Job Interview Questions About Your Career Goals and Sample Answers

The overall theme for each of the answers below is: have you thought about the impact of
your decisions at the time you made them - or do you have a reactive response to most
situations. Far too often, a person's career appears to have happened by chance. In todays
fast-paced, ever changing world of work, employer's want to know if they can count on you to
make good decisions, not knee-jerk reactions.
Start with your graduation from college and explain the rationale behind each of
your career moves.
When I graduated from college, I was immediately recruited by the ABC Company. As my
resume reflects, I received two promotions and then a recruiter contacted for the position at
the XYZ Company. I've been there for the past 4 years and have learned a great deal, while
making significant contributions to my department.
Also, explain the thinking process that went into make each of those decisions.
For my first job, I was happy to know I would be working in a job that utilized my education.
It was exciting to know that within just a few weeks of graduation, I had my first paycheck.
My thinking behind the XYZ position centered on the fact that they have a global presence, it
was a definite promotion and positioned me to be a viable candidate for the marketing position
with your company.
How many hours a day/week do you need to work to get the job done?
I use my time efficiently at work and, for the most part, it's not the number of hours I work;
but how effective my time has been to accomplish the job. I'm sure my references will tell you
I was more than willing to put in the time to be sure the job was completed as quickly and as
professionally as possible.
If you stayed with your current company, what would be your next move?
The upward mobility at my current company would most likely be in the global marketing
department.
How do you measure success?
I measure professional success by the standards of the company for which I work, the
feedback I receive from my peers, supervisors and subordinates. Personally, it is to know I'm
regarded as a good husband, father and member of society.
Describe your dream job.
As a child, I dreamed of being the starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs. When I realized I did
not have a fast ball, or a change -up; I concentrated on my skills in marketing because I
realized it is an area where I not only can make significant contributions, but I enjoy using my
talent in a corporate environment.
===============